@HerdWSoccer Plays to a Draw with Louisiana Tech

Sackaris and Preston score for Herd

HUNTINGTON, W. Va. - The Marshall women’s soccer team (3-7-1, 1-2-1) fought to a draw with Louisiana Tech (8-2-4, 1-0-2) on Friday night, 2-2. Goals for the Herd were scored by sophomore Jordan Sackarisand freshman Molly Preston.LA Tech got a tremendous start and put one passed sophomore keeper Megan Bonelli in the fourth minute of the game. Jenna Dages finished a header from 12-yards out to give the Lady Techsters the lead, 1-0. Just 10 minutes later the Herd answered after sophomore Gabby Powers feathered a pass through the LA Tech back line to Sackaris who pounced on the ball and scored her third goal of the season. The game continued to flow back and forth and in the 30th minute Preston fired a driven shot into the top corner of the net to give the Herd a 2-1 lead. The goal was assisted by senior Adela Trevino, her first of the season. At the half, Marshall collected seven shots and two corner kicks. Preston and Sackaris led the team in shots with two apiece.Louisiana Tech once again got off to a fast start in the second half. Dre Spates snatched her first goal of the year in the 54th minute of the contest after Mylene Roy-Ouellet played her through to goal. Roy-Ouellet collected her second assist of the season, and tied the match at 2-2. Freshman Mary Lawman had a chance to give the Herd its lead back midway through the second half when the ball took a deflection and landed on her shoes from 11-yards out. However, she pushed the shot wide. Regulation time ended with the two teams even at 2-2.In overtime, Louisiana Tech’s Nomvula Kgoale had a fantastic opportunity to win the game when she took a low driven shot from the right side of the penalty box. However, Bonelli was up to the task and made the save. Sackaris was close to finishing the contest with three minutes remaining in the first overtime period. LA Tech goalie Courtney Tompkins answered the shot with a save. The match ended in a draw after the second overtime period finished 2-2.Sackaris led the team with four shots, two of which were on goal. Bonelli collected 3 saves. Marshall collected eight corner kicks after 110 minutes of play.COACH’S CORNERHead coach Kevin Long“I think they are a good team, that’s not up for debate. I thought we did a good job in the first half when we owned our style, when we held the ball. I thought we were pretty good, we were really hard to defend against. There was a segment in the second half where we checked out a little bit and we stopped playing what was a successful style for us and the next thing you know we are down that momentum.”“It was great to see us comeback and gain composure after that first goal. The frustrating part on a day like today is that we really didn’t make our opponent earn much. The goals that were scored should not have really been allowed by our defense, and in my book, that’s the most frustrating part.”UP NEXTThe Thundering Herd women’s soccer team will be back in action on Oct. 6 against the University of Alabama-Birmingham. Kickoff is slated for 8p.m.#ONEHERDKeep up with the latest news about Herd soccer by liking the team's official Facebook page: Marshall University Soccer. For live in-match updates and news, follow @HerdWSoccer on Twitter.